The 10 most beautiful abandoned places in the world (Updated 2021)

In this post, you can know the 10 most beautiful abandoned places in the world. These are magical places that you have to visit to get to know their charm. Some of these places may be a bit strange and even unusual. That is why they can pleasantly surprise you thanks to their unusual features and natural and man-made wonders.

These are the 10 most beautiful abandoned places in the world

When it comes to getting to know places all around the planet Earth, there are some unusual options. That’s right, these are incredible places, but they are abandoned. Despite this, they are still attractive and can surprise you with their beauty. Here are the 10 most beautiful abandoned places:

1. Tianducheng (Hangzhou, China)

This is a miniature replica of Paris, located in the Chinese district of Tianducheng, about 40 minutes from Hangzhou. This was an ambitious but failed project that was built in 2007. The development has its own 90-meter Eiffel Tower and its own Champs Elysees. 

Unfortunately, the original project to recreate the City of Light did not meet its goals. This city now has only a couple of thousand inhabitants, although it was built for about 10,000. Generally, the streets are empty and lonely. Except for a few Parisian-themed weddings that take place there.

Lamentablemente, el proyecto original de recrear la Ciudad de la luz no cumplió con sus objetivos. Esta ciudad ahora tiene solo un par de miles de habitantes, aunque se construyó para unos 10.000. Por lo general, las calles están vacías y solas. A excepción de algunas bodas con temática parisina que se realizan en el lugar.

This is a beautiful place that retains a certain magic, even if it did not fulfill its initial objectives. It is worth getting to know the city of Paris in miniature. 

2. Craco (Italy)

This city was founded in the 8th century. However, it suffered several natural disasters over time, such as floods and earthquakes. So it was completely abandoned in the mid-seventies. Craco is located in the valley of Cavone, in southern Italy.

Today, Craco is an incredible place that attracts tourists. In addition, these landscapes have served as the setting for films such as The Passion of the Christ and Quantum of Solace. This is a place forgotten in time that retains its beauty. 

3. Bannerman Castle on Pollepel Island, New York (United States)

Originally, this castle was an arms warehouse for Frank Bannerman, who was a Scottish ammunition merchant. It is located on the Hudson River near New York. The castle was abandoned after an explosion occurred in 1920, which was caused by gunpowder. After several fires and changes of ownership, the castle was abandoned.

Today, those who travel by boat or kayak to Pollepel Island can take a guided tour to learn about the history of the warehouse and see the remains of the castle used as a residence by the Bannerman family.

4. Miranda Castle, Celles (Belgium)

This castle is usually used to create various stories of fear or tragedy. It can look a bit creepy but at the same time fascinating. Its infrastructure is really impressive. You can visit this castle by walking through the desolate moors and lush forests of its surroundings.

It was built in the 19th century during the French Revolution. The Count of Liedekerke-Beaufort fled from Vêves when he was condemned to the guillotine. When the danger was over, he and his family had this castle built by the English architect Millner. It has been abandoned since 1991.

5. Granadilla

Granadilla is a walled village that was founded by the Arabs in the 9th century. It is located in the province of Cáceres, Spain. Later, in 1160 it was conquered and integrated into the Kingdom of León. Then it was expropriated during the Franco era and turned into a dam. 

For this reason, it was abandoned by all its inhabitants. A part of the village was sunk, but it was later rescued. It is now considered a historic-artistic site. It is a ghost town with great beauty. In addition, it was included in the tourist map after being the scene for one of the locations of the movie “Átame”, by Pedro Almodóvar.

6. Hashima Ghost Island (Japan)

It is one of the many uninhabited islands of Nagasaki Prefecture. It was only populated between 1887 and 1974 by workers who worked in the coal mines with their families. When the mine was closed, people left the island.

With the passage of time and the effects of the climate, everything deteriorated. In 2015, it was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. It has also been used as a setting for several movies. You can also go on excursions to visit the island, but without entering the buildings because of the risk of collapse. 

7. Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Duich (Scotland)

This is an obligatory stop if you go to Scotland. The castle is located on Lake Duich on the way to the Isle of Skye. To get there you must go by boat. Its construction began in 1220 under Alexander II of Scotland. Then, it was occupied by the Spanish in 1719.

Finally, the English expelled the Spanish and razed the castle to the ground and it was abandoned. Between 1912 and 1930 the castle was restored so that it is possible to visit its interior. This castle has been the setting for several films such as Braveheart.

8. Water Elevator in Gordejuela, Spain

This is an old industrial complex from 1903. It was used as housing for workers. For its time, it was an innovative building, as it had the first steam engine on the island of Tenerife. 

However, the project did not work as expected and it closed. Today, only the ruins of the elevator can be seen. Nevertheless, it is a fascinating wonder, thanks to the excellent view of the Atlantic Ocean. That gives it a mysterious touch.

9. The Rubjerg Knude Fyr Lighthouse

This lighthouse was built in 1899 on top of a cliff 60 meters above sea level. It is about 24 meters high and its function was to light the way for ships during storms. However, the movements of the dunes due to the strong winds gradually buried the lighthouse. 

This way the light was no longer visible and it had to be abandoned. Later, it was turned into a museum, but was also abandoned. In 2019, it was moved inland to prevent it from collapsing. Now, sightseeing tours are available at the lighthouse. 

10. The SS Ayrfield Ship

Just 30 minutes from Sydney there is an abandoned ship that has now been converted into a forest. This ship was abandoned during World War II, in Homebush Bay, Australia, after the scrapyard was closed. It looks like a sculpture suspended in the water, capturing the attention of locals and tourists.

These are the 10 most beautiful abandoned places in the world. You can include them in your next sightseeing tour to delight yourself with these incredible landscapes.